Snow Isn't Out Of Reach If You Plan

Packages Not In The Peak Season To Lesser Known Areas Can Be Had Without Stretching The Budget All Out Of Shape.

January 9, 2000|By Los Angeles Daily News

Skiing is a very expensive sport. By the time you buy the fancy new skis with microchips built in, the brilliant bindings and the colorful, high-tech clothing, there's little money left over.

But the beauty and freedom found in skiing is addictive, and with a little planning you can still take that ski vacation. The trick is to go during the shoulder seasons and to ski the lesser-known areas.

Here are some ski packages that will get a couple out on the slopes for $1,000 a week. While that may sound expensive, these are legitimate values when you consider that air fare is included and these ski resorts are some of the best in the world.

In most of the packages, you also get ski-lift tickets, which often cost $50 a day. [Prices include air fare from Los Angeles. Air fare from Orlando likely will add several hundred dollars to the cost of the packages.)

Canada continues to be a real bargain because of the excellent exchange rate (currently just under $1.40 Canadian for $1 U.S.). While winter might be prime time for American ski resorts, they're off-season for places such as Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta.

Yet these two areas are home to some of Canada's finest skiing, with three ski mountains - including Lake Louise, the largest ski resort in the country.

Together, the ski areas offer 218 runs on more than 5,000 acres of terrain, serving every kind of skier from beginner to expert.

Horizon Air is offering a bargain package, which includes air fare to Calgary, five nights' lodging and a three-day interchangeable lift ticket. The cost is only $520 per person, based on double occupancy, through Jan. 31 and April 24 through 30. (All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars.)

Lodging is at the new Banff Caribou Lodge or the recently renovated Banff Ptarmigan Inn. Both hotels are in downtown Banff, an easy walk from the town's many excellent restaurants and shops.

For only $100 more per person, skiers can opt to stay at Canadian Pacific's elegant Banff Springs Hotel. This classic hotel looks like a baron's castle nestled in the Canadian Rockies and has been serving guests for more than a century.

The grand dame has recently been remodeled, including a marvelous new 35,000-square-foot spa called Solace.

Worried about forking over a grand and not having any snow? Horizon Air is guaranteeing the snow. Through April 1, it guarantees that at least 50 percent of the ski terrain will be open. If not, the airline will reschedule or refund the ski package.

All a skier has to do is call the snow-information line 48 hours before departure to check the weather.

For more information, call Horizon Air Holidays at 1-800-547-9308 or check its Web site at www.horizonair.com.

Daman-Nelson Travel is offering a great package to Sun Valley, Idaho. For $445 per person, double occupancy, the package includes round-trip charter air on Alaska Airlines to Twin Falls, charter bus to Sun Valley and seven nights lodging at the Elkhorn Resort.

The Elkhorn is next to Dollar Mountain and recently completed a thorough remodeling. Lift tickets are additional, but a multiday ticket discount is available.

The package is offered through Jan. 22, Jan. 29 through Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 through 26.

For more information, call Daman-Nelson Travel at 1-800-343-2626.

Though it costs slightly more than our target of $1,000 per couple, British Columbia's Whistler-Blackcomb also should be considered. The skiing is world-class, as is the village at the base of the mountain.

For about $650 per person, double occupancy, skiers can enjoy a five-night stay with a three-day lift ticket. Visitors have several fine hotels to choose from, with the prices varying only $10 to $20 per night. The package includes nonstop air from Los Angeles to Vancouver. For more information, call a travel agent.